What is BMI?

BMI is a tool used by health professionals, nutritionists, and some insurance companies to assess risk of health problems linked to body size. BMI relates to body fat. The risk of obesity related health problems increases as your BMI increases. Those risks include, but are not limited to, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Determining Your BMI

The Calculation for BMI

BMI = [Weight in pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches] x 703

Determine your BMI by using the table below. Begin by finding your height in inches along the left column. From that height, follow the row to the right until you reach your approximate weight. From your weight, follow the column upwards to the BMI numbers (19-35) along the top row.

Body Mass Index Chart

BMI

Height

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

58"

91

96

100

105

110

115

119

124

129

134

138

143

148

153

158

162

167

59"

94

99

104

109

114

119

124

128

133

138

143

148

153

158

163

168

173

60"

97

102

107

112

118

123

128

133

138

143

148

153

158

163

168

174

179

61"

100

106

111

116

122

127

132

137

143

148

153

158

164

169

174

180

185

62"

104

109

115

120

126

131

136

142

147

153

158

164

169

175

180

186

191

63"

107

113

118

124

130

135

141

146

152

158

163

169

175

180

186

191

197

64"

110

116

122

128

134

140

145

151

157

163

169

174

180

186

192

197

204

65"

114

120

126

132

138

144

150

156

162

168

174

180

186

192

198

204

210

66"

118

124

130

136

142

148

155

161

167

173

179

186

192

198

204

210

216

67"

121

127

134

140

146

153

159

166

172

178

185

191

198

204

211

217

223

68"

125

131

138

144

151

158

164

171

177

184

190

197

203

210

216

223

230

69"

128

135

142

149

155

162

169

176

185

189

196

203

209

216

223

230

236

70"

132

139

146

153

160

167

174

181

188

195

202

209

216

222

229

236

243

71"

136

143

150

157

165

172

179

186

193

200

208

215

222

229

236

243

250

72"

140

147

154

162

169

177

184

191

199

206

213

221

228

235

242

250

258

73"

144

151

159

166

174

182

189

197

204

212

219

227

235

242

250

257

265

74"

148

155

163

171

179

186

194

202

210

218

225

233

241

249

256

264

272

75"

152

160

168

176

184

192

200

208

216

224

232

240

248

256

264

272

279

76"

156

164

172

180

189

197

205

213

221

230

238

246

254

263

271

279

287

Understanding Your BMI

BMI Categories

Underweight = <18.5

Normal weight = 18.5-24.9

Overweight = 25-29.9

Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Lowering BMI by as little as 2 points can greatly decrease the risk of obesity related health problems.

The BMI of those people aged 2 to 20 years old is calculated in the same way as those 21 and older, however, the interpretation is different. Consult with your physician for a correct interpretation of calculated BMI.

BMI is based solely on height and weight. For those who have a high amount of muscle, your BMI may be overestimated. The opposite may hold true for those who are elderly and have lost muscle. BMI scores may be helpful but they are not perfect, there are numerous variables that can affect BMI, such as pregnancy. It is best to consult with your physician.